Hi, I like to record myself while playing sometimes. But I notice when I am recording I hear the puff of air coming from the bellows and other background noises. But when I hear other recordings (Not necessarily professional ones like albums, but self recordings) I can hear no bellows or bag activity. Does it depend on where the mic is used? Or what type it is?
I know professional recorders usually use equalizers and stuff and that’s why we hear only the chanter and drones.
Hi here are some links I found useful when I was researching this very subject 
I’ve got a few recordings (Robbie Hannan comes to mind) where you can hear the bellows working every now and then. I actually really like it. Makes it feel more authentic ;-p
it totally depends on which mic’s are used and where they are in the room in relation to you &the pipes. The last time I was in a studio with uilleann pipes, the guy had about 6-7- live mics in the room; which where then mixed together to acheive an optimal overall signal. So it can get complex pretty quickly. There was still bellows noise, mostly from the mics that were set to pick up drones & regs. But as for outside noise, (cats, busses, plumbing, gunshots, what have you) this is the kind of stuff you DONT want, even in a home rec…and can be more expensive than a locker full of large diaphragm condensers to remedy.